Improvement in box-fasteners



UNITED STATES PAT-ENT QEEICE.

GUSTAVUS A. MERTENS, OF HERMANN, MISSOURI.

IMPROVEMENT IN BOX-FASTENERS.

Specification forming part of Letters\Patent No. 183,861, dated October 31, 1876 ;v application led May 19, 1876.

4of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use it, reference'being had to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in fastenings for boxes used in the transportation of eggs and other such articles; and it consists in a screw, which is passed down through the center of a casting that is secured to the top of the box, which screw is provided with a stop, and screws down into a saddle placed on top of a partition in the box, as will be more fully described hereinafter.

The accompanying drawings represent my invention.

a. represents an oblong rectangular box, which is divided into two compartments by means of the partition b. In the center of the top edge of this partition is cut a recess, c,

vand over the top edge of the bottom of this recess is placed the metallic saddle or bent plate d, which extends some distance downward along the sides of the partition. This than the lower ones, and serve simply as a means to fasten the casting to the lid. The lower surface of this casting is about flush with the under side ot' the lid, and through the casting is passed the screw h, which has a thread only toward its lower end. Passed through the screw, above the thread, is a pin, z', which serves as a stop to prevent the screw from being withdrawn from the casting, where by it is always kept from being lost or misplaced. Upon the under side ot' each end of the lid is secured a cleat, l, which catch over the ends of the box, and serve both to keep the lid from turning around on the box or becoming warped. On each end of the box is secured a cross-piece, n, upon which the cleats rest. The recess is cut in the edge of the partition to allow the screw to be moved freely up and down Without interfering with the pin c.

If desired, the screw can be countersunk, so that a seal can be set on top of it, when necessary.

Having thus described my invention, I

claiml As a center fastening for egg-cases and other boxes, the combination of the box a, having partition b, casting g, lid e, plate d, screw h, and pin t', with cleats or stops to prevent the lid from turning around, substantially as shown and described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand this 9th day of May, 1876.

GUSTAVUS A. MER'IENS.

Witnesses:

ERNEST LEssEL, LoUIs F. KIELMANN. 

